Eugenia Reid Gudger

Eugenia Reid Gudger, 89, of Asheville, NC passed away October 17, 2013 in Roswell, GA surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born in Dobson, NC she was the daughter of the late Walter Eugene and Mattie Hill Reid. She was preceded in death by her husband, former Congressman Lamar Gudger, and half-brother, Edwin Reid. She loved family, friends and her home state of North Carolina. Through her many volunteer and executive positions she worked tirelessly to promote the arts, education and aid for handicapped children, senior citizens and veterans. In addition, she was involved with many civic and cultural organizations including the Asheville Junior League, Children's Welfare League, Children's Orthopedic Home, North Carolina Cultural Arts Council, Washington Arts Council, The Congressional Club, The Congressional Wives task Force and many other organizations. Mrs. Gudger attended Southern Seminary College in Lexington, VA (1941-1943) and graduated from the Plonk School of Creative Arts (1944-1946). She acted in theatre and television in New England and Carolina Playmakers at UNC and Off Broadway. She started Toastmistress in Asheville, NC in 1950. As an educator she taught speech and public speaking to her students, including disabled children. When her husband was elected to Congress she and Tipper Gore (officers in The Congressional Club and The Congressional Wives Task Force) spearheaded the campaign against obscene language and violence on radio and TV to get rating systems in place. A longtime Baptist, she was active in The Central United Methodist Church. She lived by the motto love one another and rejoice in the beauty of God s surroundings . She is survived by daughter, Carol Gudger Hardman and her husband, William Bill Hardman of Roswell, GA; daughter, Martha Elizabeth Betsy Gudger of Asheville, NC; son, Vonno Butch Lamar Gudger III and his wife Sally Gudger of Asheville, NC; son, Eugene Skip Reid Gudger of Sarasota, FL; grandchildren, Christopher Hardman of Roswell, GA;, Eugenia Hillman and her husband Michael of Alpharetta, GA; Bryan Hardman and his wife Amelia of Marietta, GA; Sarah and Reid Gudger of Hendersonville, NC; Morgan, and Christine Gudger of Sarasota, FL;; great grandchildren, Brooks Hillman, Ian Gudger, Lee and Katie Wilkes Hardman; and, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Williamson of Asheville, NC; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Central United Methodist Church in Asheville, NC. Interment will follow on Monday, September 23, 2013 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to favorite charities. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899